Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to the lovely Ms. Rowling. I am merely borrowing it.

PROLOGUE: The End

"I'm sorry."

He broke the strained silence in the room with those two words.

"I am so sorry that I have not been more of a father to you, Draco, or more of a husband to you, Narcissa - "

"No, Lucius, you're wonderful, you've done everything - "

"I could have been better, my love. I do love you. I haven't said that enough. I love both of you so much." Lucius' eyes glittered, and it might be suspected that a lesser man might have been crying by now.

Draco stood stiffly behind his mother. It felt like a dream, it all had, ever since Potter had sent the Dark Lord's own curse back at him. Now his father was going to die. They had given him a choice, after he had been found guilty at his trial. He could be Kissed, and live, or be executed. He chose to be Kissed then executed. Less painful, apparently. This was the last time Draco would see his father.

His father's prison clothes didn't cover his Dark Mark. Draco studied it, knowing he had the twin under the long-sleeved robes he had taken to wearing lately. The wizards and witches who hissed and spit at him on the streets couldn't care less that all three of the Golden Trio had vouched for him at his trial. He had been the only full Death Eater pardoned. His mother, who some called guilty by association, had been pardoned by Potter himself. Now, as his mother silently wept and clutched Lucius' hand across the table, he couldn't bring himself to feel anything. He had been so full of anger, of fear, but now? He might as well have been empty.

"Time's up," a human guard said, face and tone grim. "You are to be escorted out, Mrs. Malfoy, Master Malfoy."

Lucius reached a hand to Draco. "Son," he said. Draco grabbed his hand. "Don't let my foolish prejudices limit you. You were forced into this. I truly am sorry for that. Survival was key, and it seemed that was the way to keep you and your mother alive. I can tell…" Lucius paused, swallowing. "You are harsher on yourself than others are, Draco. Forgive yourself. Please. Take care of your Mum. And be happy."

Draco turned away.

"Ma'am-Sir…" The guard was more insistent this time.

Narcissa swallowed a sob, making a gasping noise, then leaned across the table and kissed Lucius passionately.

"I love you, Lucius, I love you," she sobbed. Calming a bit, she continued, grabbing his hand like a lifeline, holding Draco in the other. "One day, I will be with you again. I promise."

Lucius smiled slightly. "I will wait, my love."

Narcissa nodded, holding back more tears. With one last look at Lucius, his wife and son left.

Two hours later, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy had passed on into another life.

Draco Malfoy had been sixteen when his father had forced him to take the Mark. Now, almost two years later, his father and the Dark Lord were both dead, and he was free.

A/N: Read and Review :)